Ramadan, the 9th month of the Islamic lunar calendar is visiting us once again For Muslims it is a transforming time- a month of spiritual regeneration and bodily cleansing. But the greatest aspect of Ramadan is the generosity displayed by believers, a time when we race for the blessings of helping others, and the Grace and Mercy of God. A poet beautifully ex-pounds this in the following verse: Ramadan is like a rare flower That blossoms once a year And just when you begin to smell its fragrance It disappears for another year Make the most of it now While you still have the chance

This coming together of people is a re-minder of our collective conscious that drives us to gather to build bridges of un-derstanding and friendship despite the events that occur in the world today. This is an important note for Muslims because it stems from an important tradition of the Prophet (PBUH) who declared: “O Lord! Lord of my life and of everything in the Universe! I affirm that all human beings are brothers unto one another.” This declaration confirms the revelation of the Qur’an: “O mankind! Verily We have created you of a male and female and dis-tributed you into tribes and families so that you may recognize one an-other (49:13). And so be mindful of God in whose name you seek rela-tionship with one another, and re-spect this relationship. Verily God is watchful over you (4:1). Ramadan is a month of blessing and good-

will for Muslims, and the concept of inter-

In the Spirit of Ramadan: IIT’s Interfaith Iftar promotes Peace, Goodwill and Friendship

International Institute of Tolerance

Quarterly Newsletter

June 2016 Volume 21

interfaith Iftar revolves around this very notion of spreading understanding and friendship to faith communities; and be-yond. From the White House to the Pen-tagon, the military to consulates, from mosques to community centers, Iftar din-ners have become a worldwide phe-nomenon, having great political, social and spiritual impact everywhere. For 9 years IIT has hosted it’s Annual Interfaith Iftar, inviting civic and reli-gious leaders, community heads and the interfaith community to join us and ex-perience Iftar, the breaking of the fast. This creates a unique opportunity for the Muslim community to meet, greet and share food with faith communities and civic leaders in our area. Some of our In-terfaith friends even braved fasting for the day and prayed Maghrib Salah with us. This year our theme was “Friendship and Goodwill”, exploring the many bridges IIT has created with the community at large. This year Carson City Mayor Robles attended, as well as representa-tions from LA Sheriff and Carson Sher-riff, the Consul General of Angola, the Department of Children and Family Ser-vices Torrance Regional Office, and vari-ous faith communities. Imam delivered an important message (see Imam’s mes-sage in the last page); Br. Yahya Jordan tied up his message with the achieve-ments of Muhammad Ali and his good-will and compassion as a Muslim to all people, and Pastor John Jefferson from Del Aire Baptist Church closed the pro-gram with a riveting prayer. Thank you all for your support of this event.

Imam, Mayor & Consul Gen Angola

“O Allah, this is Quraish. It has

come with all it’s arrogance and boasting, trying to discredit Your Apostle. Ya Allah! I ask You to hu-miliate them tomorrow. O Allah, if this Muslim band will perish today,

You shall not be worshipped.”

The Battle of Badr was the most im-portant and defining moment among the Islamic battles of Destiny. No one was more aware of the importance of this battle than the Prophet (SAW) himself. This is tantamount in the depth of anxiety in his prayer (above) before battle.

Fought on 17th of Ramadan, outnum-bered 1-3, the Islamic defense was a combination of 3 decisive compo-nents: First, the leadership and com-mand of the Prophet (SAW) became the foundation of the state and future rulers. Second, the sacrifice of the

Battle of Badr : Battle of Destiny

Page 2

Quarterly Newsletter

Lailatul Qadr : The Night of Power

the Hashemite, especially Ali whose military performance became the sub-ject of caravan stories throughout the Arab peninsular. Third, the willingness of the companions for sacrifice became the model for the future. They became the army of Islam and it’s first line of defense. Badr signals the first major test of faith, and it’s triumph signals the triumph of Islam itself. After this battle, the Prophet (SAW) became a force to be reckoned with, and a leader and legis-lator, founder of an empire. Although Badr was little more than a skirmish, it signaled the beginning of the Islamic expansion. Although by the time of the Prophet’s (SAW) demise in 632 the entire peninsular subscribed to Islam, over the next 120 years the same oc-curred in lands from Spain to China, India to central Africa– and it all started at Badr. It is worthy of our gratitude.

IIT will celebrate Lailatul Qadr on Friday

1st July . Program will include Khatmal

Qur’an, Fundraising, Salatul Tasbeeh &

Qiyamul Layl. Please join us.

“Verily! We have sent it (Quran) down in the Night of Decree (Lailatul-Qadr).

And what will make you know what the Night of Decree is? The Night of De-

cree is better than a thousand months. Therein descend the angels and the Rooh

(i.e. Gabriel) by Allah's Permission with all Decrees, Peace! until the appear-

ance of dawn.” (Al-Qadr 97: 1-5)

Lailatul Qadr is a night of great blessing and it commemorates the first revelation of

the Holy Qur’an. Hence it is celebrated as not only the Night of Decree, but the

Night in which the truth (Furqan) descended from the heavens to the earth, and into

the hearts of believers. Once ignited with this Divine Light of Truth, the heart of the

believer is forever transformed.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Seek it in the last ten

nights [ of Ramadan], on the odd-numbered nights.” ( al-Bukhari, 1912, )

.“Whoever establishes Salah on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping

for a reward from Allah, all his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Bukhari)

IIT is having complete Qur’an recitation by visiting Hafez’s and will make Khatmal

Qur’an on the 27th Night of Ramadan?1st July. As you are aware we are in the proc-

ess of purchasing a property and we appeal to your generosity in this month to do-

nate towards our Building Fund. Once we secure enough down payment we will

able to make an offer. Place your brick to earn a room in Jannah!

DO not forget to Contribute to IIT’s

Building Fund . Earn your Castle in Jan-

nah & become part of the Masjid Pro-

gram.

For all your Tax contact Mohamed Jalloh

at E-Tax Resolutions at (310) 502-2174

For all Real Estate needs please contact

Ameena Haseeb at 310-972-0387.

For Commercial & Domestic cleaning

needs contact Nadeem Mughal at (310)

634-7670

IIT offers a variety of programs, religious, educa-

tional, and social, to advance the well-being of our

community. These programs include Jumah Salah/

Friday Khutbah, daily congregational prayers,

Taraweeh, observance of all Big Nights, Nazira

classes, Saturday Islamic classes, Adult Qur’an

reading classes, Professional Counseling, and fort-

nightly Qadri Khatam and Zikr. , Funeral rites and

arrangement, performance of Marriage, Darud

Nariya every Thursday night after Isha prayer,

Spiritual nights, and participation by invitation of

the community to various events. Professional

Tajweed classes offered Mon/Tues/Wed.

IIT Services Community Billboard

Feed the Homeless Program: Every 2nd & 4th Saturday at LA Mission. Volunteers leave IIT at 8:00 am to prepare meal at LA Mission.

IIT observed Lailatul Raghaib (1st Thurs night Rajab)& Qaderi Khatam on Fri. 8 April..

IIT Monthly Ladies Meelad held on 3rd April & 1st May. The Moulood program will be suspended until after Ramadan

On Tues 3 May IIT celebrated Lailatul Mi’raj with program beginning at Asr.

On Sat. 7 May Athia Carrim with guests at-tended Mother’s Day Tea in Long Beach hon-oring mothers & their achievements.

On 14 June Athia Carrim attended the “Peace Pole” ceremony at the Aetherius Society in Hollywood honoring all faiths.

On Sat. 21st May IIT celebrated Nisfus Sha-ban with a capacity crowd of believers. The Program began at Asr, followed by Iftar, then recitation of 3 Yaseens, followed by a fund-raiser for the purchase of a masjid. A special thanks to all who pledged their support for the Building Fund.

On 12 June at the Annual Interfaith Iftar Athia Carrim was acknowledged & awarded for her work with children by the County of LA Dept. of Family and Children Services By Rosa Tang Asst. Regional Administrator.

IIT Updates

Sunday 12 June : IIT’s 9th Annual Interfaith Iftaar beginning 7:00 pm.

Saturday 11th & 25th June : Feed the Homeless in LA Mission @ 8:00 am

Monday 20th June : Dua-e-Jameelah Program begins at 6:30 pm with Asr

Tuesday 21st June: Commemoration of Battle of Badr

Saturday 25th June : Commemoration of Life of Hazrat Ali (RA)

Friday 1st July: Lailatul Qadr Whole Night Program

Page 3

Volume 21

Save the Date ……...

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

FITRANA $15 per person

per household including

children in your care.

ZAKAH 2.5% of savings &

gold over 3 ounces

Imam Meets Carson Sheriff heads

305 W Torrance Blvd. Unit G

Carson, CA 90745

The International Institute of Tolerance was founded on

the principle of Justice and Equity. Its services are reli-

gious and charitable, and grounded in the Islamic faith.

One of the principle aims of the Institute is to integrate

Muslim Americans into our pluralistic American society.

The Institution is focused on working in harmony with

other faith groups and civic organizations to enhance our

collective futures. The Institute provides religious, educa-

tional, and social services to advance justice and promote

compassion. Outside its religious services, the Institute’s

charitable intent can be found in its outreach program.

This is the essence of the Islamic value system which

drives the Institute’s role and functions.

International Institute of Tolerance

The Holy Quran explicitly warns regarding the right

to life: [5:32]

“..he who kills anyone unless it be a person guilty

of manslaughter, or of spreading disorder in the

land; it will be as though he has killed all man-

kind; but he who saves a life; it shall be as though

he has saved all mankind..”

The decree/ law is so clear as though carved in

stone- killing an innocent person is akin to killing

all mankind- this is the integrity and right to life

protected by Islamic Law- we condemn this hor-

rific act because it has no relation to Islam nor

does it reflect the essence of this religion of peace.

We express our heartfelt condolences to the victims

and their families, and our thoughts and prayers are

with those left behind and the survivors and their

families. In the spirit of peace, goodwill and friend-

ship, I call for a minute of silence in solidarity and

remembrance .

2016 Interfaith Iftar IIT: 12 June 12, 2016

Imam Ashraf Carrim: Address

Honorable Mayor, distinguished guests, my brothers

and sisters in humanity. Peace be upon you with the

Mercy & Blessings of Allah

I address you tonight with a very heavy heart. Today is

a dark day of pain and disbelief for the victims and

families of the Orlando Massacre and for Islam and

Muslims. I do not have words to express my feelings, I

am overwhelmed. As we Muslims bask in the light of

Muhammad Ali’s heroic achievements as a Muslim,

this act of senseless violence and terror overshadows

all the goodness and goodwill that overcame us these

past few days. From pride we are reduced to perplexed

disbelief and outrage. How could this happen? In this

holy month of Ramadan when the intention and goal

of every Muslim around the world is one of peace, re-

flection, goodwill and God consciousness!

Phone: (310) 323 3786

E-mail: www.iitusa.org

“Certainly We have created man

in the best form. Then We let

him go down to the lowest depth,

except those who choose to be-

lieve in Allah and do what is

right. For such there shall be a

reward unfailing.”

Holy Quran (95:4-6)

”Shall I tell you what type of charity is most

pleasing to Allah? It is to restore Peace where

Peace is disturbed”. Prophet Muhammad (SAW)

Message from the Imam